NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., Sept. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sandra E. Peterson will join Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) on December 1, 2012, as Group Worldwide Chairman and member of the Company's Executive Committee. She will have responsibility for the Consumer Group of Companies, Information Technology, and Global Supply Chain.

Currently the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bayer CropScience AG, based in Europe, Peterson has diverse and relevant global experience in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, consumer goods, healthcare intermediaries and strategy development.

"Sandi Peterson is an experienced global leader known for her strategic thinking and proven track record in growing businesses," said Alex Gorsky, Chief Executive Officer. "She brings 25 years of experience to her new role, which will draw on her expertise in building fully integrated global businesses, and focusing on growth."

Peterson has held her current role at Bayer since 2010. Previously, she was president and chief executive officer of Bayer Medical Care and president of Bayer HealthCare AG's Diabetes Care Division.

Prior to joining Bayer in 2005, Peterson spent five years in leadership roles at Medco Health Solutions. She previously led global research and development, procurement and regulatory affairs at Nabisco, Inc., and in strategy, finance and product development at Whirlpool Corporation. She began her career in consulting, with McKinsey & Company, Inc.

A graduate of Cornell University with a B.A. in Government, Peterson also holds an M.P.A. in Applied Economics from Princeton University. She is a member of the board of directors of The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation.

Currently residing in Germany, Peterson will be based at Johnson & Johnson headquarters in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

About Johnson & Johnson

Caring for the world, one person at a timeinspires and unites the people of Johnson & Johnson. We embrace research and science - bringing innovative ideas, products and services to advance the health and well-being of people. Our approximately 128,000 employees at more than 250 Johnson & Johnson operating companies work with partners in health care to touch the lives of over a billion people every day, throughout the world.

(This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; economic factors, such as interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approvals; challenges to patents; significant adverse litigation or government action; impact of business combinations; financial distress and bankruptcies experienced by significant customers and suppliers; changes to governmental laws and regulations and domestic and foreign health care reforms; trends toward health care cost containment; increased scrutiny of the health care industry by government agencies; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; disruptions due to natural disasters; manufacturing difficulties or delays; and product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Exhibit 99 of Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2012. Copies of this Form 10-K, as well as subsequent filings, are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Johnson & Johnson does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments.)